Clarksville — The University of the Ozarks Board of Trustees has elected Richard L. “Rich” Dunsworth, J.D., as the University’s 25th president, effective July 1, 2013. Dunsworth, 43, has served as vice president for enrollment at Millikin University in Illinois, since 2004. He will succeed Dr. Rick Niece, who is retiring in June after a 16-year tenure as president of the private, Presbyterian-affiliated university.

Dunsworth, who has a juris doctorate from the University of Illinois, has been at Millikin since 1991, including stints in student life and academic development. In his role as vice president for enrollment, he oversees numerous departments, including admission, athletics, financial aid, institutional research, marketing, media relations, registrar and student development. Dunsworth and his wife, Holly, have three young children.

“At University of the Ozarks we found the perfect fit,” Dunsworth said. “When my family and I began this process, we hoped to find an institution that was grounded in faith, which would allow for the opportunity to share our personal and professional lives, and one that would welcome the entire family. We feel blessed to have found such an institution.”

“Holly and I are impressed by the people, programs and campus and look forward to introducing future generations of students to this exceptional institution,” he added. “I am impressed that Ozarks has maintained its Christian heritage and its relationship with the Presbyterian Church. I am committed to delivering on the mission of University of the Ozarks and ensuring that affordable, private education is available to students who desire the life it can provide.”

In announcing the appointment, David Rawhouser of Arlington, Texas, an Ozarks alumnus and chair of the university’s Board of Trustees, said Dunsworth impressed the search committee with his ability to interact with the campus community during a two-day interview visit to the university in late September.

“In various interviews and conversations with Mr. Dunsworth, it was very apparent that he could easily relate to the various segments of the campus community,” Rawhouser said. “He listened intensely to questions presented to him and presented his ideas in a concise, but affirmative, manner. Mr. Dunsworth was the unanimous selection of the search committee to present to the Board of Trustees, and he was the unanimous selection of the Board. We are extremely excited to have Mr. Dunsworth join the Ozarks family and look forward to his leadership as we continue to build on the strengths and traditions established on campus, while meeting the challenges of giving the best education possible to our students.”

Rawhouser said that the board is planning an event on campus in the near future to welcome Dunsworth as president-elect.

The appointment concludes a nationwide search launched in February, led by an 11-member search committee of six trustees and representatives from the faculty, staff, student body and alumni. The committee, chaired by trustee Chris Allen of Clarksville, chose Dunsworth over more than 50 applicants.

“Richard Dunsworth emerged as the best candidate to become Ozarks’ next president,” said Allen. “Rich brings a wealth of experience and proven success in higher education to Ozarks. The Dunsworths are looking forward to being a part of Ozarks and the Clarksville community. The University of the Ozarks is excited about beginning this next phase of its history.”

Dunsworth, who grew up in rural Colorado, was the first member of his family to graduate from college when he earned a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in 1991.

“As a first generation college student who benefited from the Federal Pell grant program and private scholarships, I am excited by Ozarks’ commitment to educating students ‘who come from diverse religious, cultural, educational and economic backgrounds,’” Dunsworth said, citing Ozarks’ mission statement.

Dr. Dave Daily, professor of religion at Ozarks and a member of the search committee, said the committee was impressed with Dunsworth’s understanding of Ozarks’ mission.

“In the end, we had a big challenge settling on one candidate, given the strengths we saw in all of the finalists,” Daily said. “But we are whole-hearted and enthusiastic in our support for Richard Dunsworth. I was especially impressed with his candor and insight in assessing Ozarks’ challenges and opportunities, and as a first-generation college graduate, he fully appreciates the importance of Ozarks’ mission and its continued potential to shape students’ lives in powerful ways.”

Before becoming vice president for enrollment in 2004, Dunsworth served as dean of student life and academic development from 2002-2004 at Millikin, a private college of approximately 2,400 students in Decatur, Ill. He has also taught intermittently at the university since 1994 in the areas of political science, communication and English.

Dunsworth and his wife, Holly, have a 9-year-old son, Nicolas, and 7-year-old twins, Matthew and Emma.